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Gary Tinsley, a Minnesota linebacker who had overcome some personal problems early in his Gophers career and was set to earn his degree in just a few weeks, was found dead in his campus apartment Friday morning, university officials said. He was 22.

Tinsley was found unresponsive in his apartment at Roy Wilkins Hall on the Minneapolis campus, university police chief Greg Hestness said.

The cause of death wasn't immediately released as authorities awaited autopsy results from the medical examiner. Hestness said police were not aware of any pre-existing medical conditions that may have caused Tinsley's death.

"It's a very, very sad day for our football program and for our young men," an emotional coach Jerry Kill said. "We lost one of ours today in Gary Tinsley, who I know is in a good place."

Tinsley watched a movie with some teammates in his room on Thursday night and went to bed around 11 p.m., a team spokesman said. One of his roommates was brushing his teeth Friday morning when he heard Tinsley's alarm sounding without being turned off. When the teammate went to check, he found Tinsley wasn't breathing.